Beauty Tips for the Monsoon

The monsoon, with its cooling showers and winds, is sure to given us that much-need relief from the scorching summer heat.

The monsoon, with its cooling showers and winds, is sure to given us that much-need relief from the scorching summer heat.

But it also brings along humidity, which is the main culprit for all your skin, make-up and hair problems! From skin breakouts and smudged make-up to sticky, brittle and fragile hair, there are many beauty woes you need to combat during this season. While it is wise to gear up for the monsoon by investing in rain-specific cosmetics and products, it is just as essential to follow a daily routine that will help you reap the maximum benefits of your beauty buys. These easy to follow tips will save your skin from long-lasting damage.

Make-up

- During monsoons, a matte-finish primer and foundation helps your make-up last longer, despite the humidity and also prevents it from oxidising, which is a result of excessive oil secretion on the skin.

- Do not use cream-based eye shadows and blushes, as they tend to melt easily. Instead, emphasise your eyes with powder eye shadows. Also, avoid smokey eyes and go for pastel shades. For lashes, use a waterproof mascara. If you wear false lashes, invest in waterproof glue. You can glam up the dull and damp monsoon atmosphere with some fun and fabulous waterproof coloured eye liners.

- Steer clear from the dark lips trend; bright lips are quite the hype this season, and they're easy to retouch and maintain throughout the day. Also, they give you a fresh look. Skip shimmer and glitter make-up, as these overdo the shine on your face and look tacky.

Tips: Keep you brushes and make-up clean and store them in a dry place, like in a roll up pouch or box. Avoid sharing lipsticks and brushes! Always carry some oil-blotting sheets in your purse that can soak excess oil and sweat without damaging your make-up. Don't forget to remove make-up before sleeping as it will clog your pores and lead to breakouts and blackheads.

Hair

- Address your hair type and devise a hair care routine accordingly. Use milder shampoos and conditioners, as hair tend to get frizzy.

- Drink a lot of water to rehydrate, since hair gets brittle and breaks easily; vitamin nourishments should be provided through your diet.

- Do not leave your hair wet or tie it up while it is damp, as this could cause dandruff. Use wide-toothed combs instead of brushes because wet hair when combed with a brush, can result in split ends and breakage, especially if it's curly and wavy.

- During monsoons, short haircuts are the easiest to maintain. Pixie haircuts are bold, stylish and low on maintenance. Shoulder-length hair or hair just above the shoulder, suit most women. Experiment with gradual asymmetrical, layered asymmetrical or even geometrical-shaped haircuts! Ask your stylist for highlights and streaks that will accentuate your cut.

- Avoid excessive styling, as most hairstyles won't hold much, owing to the high humidity in the air. Also, with the usage of too many styling products, your hair may get drier and brittle. Loose buns or a loose ponytail are good, as these do not trap much water and also protect your hair from direct exposure to the humidity.